Page 35 of The Prince (Spy Girl 1)
"I'm sorry I haven't properly thanked you--for saving my life, saving the monarchy, and for protecting my country," he says with a sincere tone, but I can tell by his body language that he's not feeling it. He's mad at me. And I don't blame him. "But things all happened so fast--the ball, the kidnapping, my father's death, the funeral, and the coronation."
"Thanks for inviting me to your coronation. I was honored."
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. The people of Montrovia and I owe you a great debt. I had planned on bringing you here after the funeral and well, to be honest, before everything happened I was considering proposing."
"Proposing?"
"You would make a lovely queen."
"Shouldn't you marry someone you love?"
"You struck my fancy."
"We haven't even slept together."
"That was planned for somewhere between then and the proposal," he says, without a trace of a smile.
"But now?"
"I received a call from the director of the CIA, who then transferred me to someone who wouldn't give me his name or tell me who he worked for. It was requested that I tell no one about you, not my government or even my closest confidants. They say your cover has taken years to put into place. It's my understanding you will continue to be Huntley Von Allister."
"That's correct."
"Then please get down on your knees in front of me."
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Are you looking for a royal blowjob?"
"No," he says, finally laughing at me as he takes a large sword off the wall. "I'm giving you an Accolade."
"What's that?"
"A ceremony to confer knighthood." He grins. "It's my opinion that making you Montrovian nobility will up your social status and strengthen your cover." He taps the flat side of the sword on my right shoulder, then gently raises the sword just up over my head and then taps my left shoulder. "With the power vested to me by country and crown, I make ye a knight of Montrovia."
He sets the sword aside, helps me to my feet, and kisses both my cheeks.
"I thought women couldn't be knights."
"You will be Montrovia's first, and you will be referred to as the Contessa of Courtenay, a nobility title that is bestowed for your lifetime."
"So you don't hate me?"
"I owe you my life."
"That's not what I'm talking about." I touch his face and tenderly kiss both his cheeks, letting the kisses linger. "My mission was to get close to you and protect you."
"Which you did."
"Yes, but there's more you need to understand. I was taught not to become emotionally entangled--told that it only leads to failure, but I failed in that part of my mission. When I ignored you to get your attention and when I saved you, that was me the spy, but as we spent time together and I got to know you, the things I said--they were not part of the mission. Those words came from me, from my heart. I care about you, Enzo." It's the first time I've called him by his nickname. He covers my hand with his, holding it in place against his cheek. "You are going to be an amazing King."
We stand and gaze at each other.
"You and I are in the same boat," he finally says, kissing my lips in a way that feels like goodbye. "Our countries need us." He shakes his head and chuckles. "I still can't believe what you did. I've only seen people move like that in the movies."
"It was my first time," I whisper.
"Your first mission, I know."
"That's not what I mean. It was the first time I ever killed anyone." Tears flood my eyes. "I'm really sorry you had to see it."
He pulls me into a tight hug. "You took out seven highly-trained guards by yourself, plus Ophelia. I don't like that people had to die, either, but it was for the good of the world. The good of Montrovia. You should feel no guilt as they brought it upon themselves." He smiles and tries to change the subject. "So did you receive commendation from your country?"
"I was told to take a couple weeks vacation until my next mission."
"Hmm, somehow that doesn't seem like enough. So, I have some gifts for you, my sweet."
"I don't need presents, Lorenzo."
"Nonetheless. From my country." He hands me a passport. "You are officially a citizen of Montrovia. There are some places in the world you may travel where having an American passport is, shall we say, tricky."
"Thank you."
"From the monarchy which you saved, a monetary account has been set up in the Royal Montrovian Bank to be accessed only by your handprint. No identification is necessary. No name. A nest egg in case you decide to retire." He holds out an iPad, clicks a button, and instructs me to lay my palm on it. "Perfect."
"And from my mother, for saving her son." He hands me a deed. "The villa is now yours."
"Lorenzo, I can't accept these. I didn't do it because--" He puts his finger over my mouth to shush me.
"And that is exactly why you deserve them. I'm not finished." He grins. "As a token of my gratitude--"
An idea flashes in my brain causing me to interrupt him. "With all the women you've dated, why haven't you dated Lady Elizabeth?"
He sighs. "I'm afraid Lizzy--how do you Americans say it--friend zoned me when we were teens. She liked older boys."
"You're an older boy now."
He cocks his head. "You think?"
"Yeah, I do. She would make a lovely queen."
"Yes, she would. I'll admit that I have carried a bit of a torch for her since my youth."
"I could invite her over to hang out. You could show up. Maybe I could find a date, and we could
double?"
"Although that sounds lovely, I'm afraid you are due in port. Right now."
"For what?"
"Your gift from me is the use of my yacht. Do a few quiet days at sea sound good?"
"That actually sounds really nice."
"Juan will escort you there now."
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
"But I need to go home and pack."
"Your luggage is already packed and on board."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No."
"Wait, why don't you want me to go home?"
"Let's just say Ari will be--um, how do you say it--holding down the fort while you are gone."
"Did you give him a passport, too?"
"Yes. You and your brother will always have a home here." He gives me a hug. "I mean that sincerely. And if you ever need anything. Anything at all. Seriously, call me. I would do anything for you."
"Thank you. That means a lot to me."
"And, now, you must go," he says, shooing me into the secret passageway from the castle down to the harbor.
When I get to the docks, I call Ellis.
"Miss Von Allister," he says, loud dance music blaring in the background.
"What's going on there? Is Ari having a party?"
"You could say a party is being had for Ari. Can't say I mind."
"Girls gone wild?"
"Very."
As I get closer to the Royal Yacht, I wonder what to expect on board. Will it be full of hot men waiting to fulfill my every desire?
I see the crew lined up for my arrival. No one else in sight.
"Good afternoon, Contessa. I'm Captain Marco. It's a pleasure to have you on board. I was told to set course for Ibiza. Unless you'd like to go somewhere else."
"No, that sounds great. And, please, call me Huntley."
As I'm shown to the owner's suite, I realize that the Prince knows the real me well. Knows that I crave solitude and silence. A few days at sea with the ocean breeze in my face sounds perfect.
I change into a red bikini then head to the pool deck. It will be the perfect place to view the gorgeous city as we leave the harbor.
I have music playing, and I am swaying to the sounds of a sultry song as I stand next to the railing and watch my new home retreating into the distance.
